John Carew produced a moment of brilliance to secure a share of the spoils against fellow Euro hopefuls Manchester City.

But Martin O'Neill will feel his side should have gone on to collect all three points after coming from behind.

Rolando Bianchi put the visitors ahead on 11, but Carew levelled shortly afterwards with a superb solo effort.

Elano dragged a weak effort wide from the edge of the box inside the first minute.

Carson palmed a low free-kick from Elano past the post on five.

City had the lead on 11 as Petrov crossed from the left and Bianchi slotted home from close range.

Carew levelled with a superb solo effort three minutes later, taking a Bouma pass with his back to goal, powering past two defenders and firing past Hart.

Lifted by the goal, Villa finally started to perform, with Barry becoming more and more influential.

Carew almost found space in behind the City defence on 20, but Hart raced off his line to clear the danger.

Ball cleared a Laursen header off the line on 22 as the Danish international rose to meet a Barry free-kick from the right.

Another Laursen header, this time from a Young corner, was deflected over the bar on 25. Agbonlahor then saw a close-range effort cleared off the line.

Last week's hero Maloney fired wide from the edge of the box on 30.

Hart turned a rising Carew drive onto the post on 31 - the Norwegian international again using his strength to great effect.

Carew collided with Hart as he raced onto a Reo-Coker through ball a minute later. The City keeper just did enough to put the ball behind.

Laursen headed over the bar from another Young corner on 34.

Young flashed a low centre across the face of goal as he cut in from the right on 44.

Vassell headed onto the bar on 46 as he met a Petrov cross from the left.

Hart punched Barry's left wing cross to safety on 49, beating Agbonlahor to the ball.

Agbonlahor dragged a right-foot shot wide of the target on 55.

Maloney tested Hart with a curling free-kick on 64 - the keeper was equal to the challenge.

Elano curled a right-foot free-kick over the bar on 75.

Carew flahsed a low right-foot effort across the edge of the six-yard box on 79.

Petrov sent a half volley just past the post on 82 as he met a Garrido cross from the left.

Hart raced off his line to deny Agbonlahor on 86 as the strikjer raced onto a long ball.

VILLA: Carson, Bouma, Mellberg, Laursen, Barry (booked 55), Young, Carew, Agbonlahor, Knight, Reo-Coker (booked 80), Maloney. Subs: Taylor, Harewood, Davies, Petrov (for Maloney 74), Gardner.

Man City: Hart, Richards, Ball (booked 62), Onuoha, Bianchi, Elano, Vassell (booked 69), Petrov, Hamann (booked 38), Dunne, Fernandes (booked 56). Subs: Isaksson, Geovanni, Corluke (for Hamann 70), Garrido (for Elano 76), Etuhu (for Bianchi 85).